Teams (Player): Tigers, Giants, Orioles, Royals, Red Sox, Yankees, White Sox
Teams (Manager): Mariners, Diamondbacks, A's
The first time I sent a card to Mr. Melvin it got bounced back. With a little more research and some luck I sent it out again on June 7th. On June 9th he was named interim Manager of the Oakland A's. Here is how I envision that scene.
Mr. Melvin is setting at home with his wife watching The Price is Right, despondent and unemployed in these hard economic times. His loving and devoted wife (I'm picturing a cross between Florence Henderson on the Brady Bunch and Betty White now) sets next to him, knitting a sweater for their nephew who's going off to college next. Bob is silent except for occasional outbursts of rage at the obvious idiocy of the contestants on the TV. There's a bit of noise out front, the mailman comes early in this old fashioned town, and right on cue a bundle of letters and papers drops through the slot on the front door. Mrs. Melvin, being old fashioned herself, but not as quick as she once was, draws herself up out of her chair to go get the mail. Bob yells at the TV again. Mrs. Melvin walks back to the TV sorting the mail as she goes and sets an envelope on the table next to Bob.
"Those are for you," she says.
"For me?, " is the incredulous retort. "Who the hell is sending me anything?"
"Well I don't know honey," responds Mrs. Melvin without the slightest notice of her husbands sour demeanor, "why don't you open it and find out."
Mr. Melvin reaches over and picks up his letter opener and slowly opens the envelope. He pulls out the letter and two objects tumble out into his lap. Ignoring those for a moment he starts to read.... It's an autograph request. He hasn't had one of those in years. He didn't think people still cared. In an instant the gray cloud hanging over him begins to dissipate, slowly but perceptibly. If people still know he's around, if people still want his autograph, then there's hope. He looks down into his lap and resting there are his old 1988 Topps baseball card and a return envelope, lovingly addresses and stamped. He looks longingly at the card with memories of the way things used to be but also with renewed faith that things will work out. He takes a deep breath and looks around for a pen. Just then the phone rings. Mrs. Melvin gets there first.
"Hello. This is the Melvin's."
"Yes, may I speak to Bob Melvin please?," says the voice at the other end of the phone.
"Of course. May I tell him who's calling?"
"Billy Beane." [not to be confused with Brad Pitt]
"Just moment."
Mrs. Melvin walks over and hands Bob, suddenly nervous and alert, the phone. She doesn't know who Billy Beane is but it's clear her husband does.
"Hello"
"Hello, Bob?"
"Yes?"
"Bob this his Billy Beane over at the A's. Listen, I'll cut straight to the point. As you know we've been struggling here lately and we think you're the man to right the ship. We'd like you to take over as Manager of the A's."
Silence
"Hello???," says Billy Beane, unsure if he's lost the call.
"Mr. Beane, I'd be honored. When should I start?"
"As soon as possible. I can have a plane waiting for you at the airport and you can be here in time for the game tonight."
"That sounds terrific Mr. Bean"
"Please, call me Billy."
"Okay, Billy. That sounds terrific. I can be at the airport in three hours."
"Sounds great. I'll see you when you get to Oakland."
Bob walks over and hangs up the phone, card and letter still in hand, still searching for a pin but momentarily speechless. He grins at his wife who beams back. She knows how long he's waited, hoped for this. He looks down again and sees the letter and card in his hand. He grabs a pen off the counter and signs in a flourish and hands the card to his wife.
"Please mail this back. The envelope is on the table by the TV. This card is good luck honey. Please make sure you mail it back."
"I will dear, don't you worry."
[END SCENE]
I'm pretty sure that's exactly what happened.
Anyway, Mr. Melvin, while a rather undistinguished player, has been a very good Manager, winning NL Manager of the Year honors in 2007 with Arizona. I thank him very much for signing and I'd like to give a shout out to John.
Cards sent: 687 - finished
Responses: 180
Response Rate: 26.20%Average Response time: 42.83 days
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